My Guestbook

On August 5, 2014...

Eleanor posted a note for JOE that says:

Hi, Joe, I am glad you are feeling better and won't have many more bumps on your road to health. Like you, I had a Trifecta valve implanted, July 14th (Bastille Day, so freedom, equality and fraternity on that day, and days to come). I am 22 days out, and still have some tightness in my right chest as muscles and nerves try to find their path to reknit. I, too, had a mini opening, and have never really felt pain or anything in that incision, more where the chest tubes were, and the chest wall. Every day is better than the previous, some a bit more sedate with me feeling tired and humoring myself with a rocker recliner and TV or a novel. But, like you, I can walk now without having to stop to breathe, I can pick up sticks dropped in the back yard from wind storms and not have to stop after each second stoop. It is good to be healthy. Congratulations on improving yours!

Hi Joe! So glad to see you are doing so well and that you came out the other side of surgery in such an upbeat manner! I am sure your positive attitude and your longtime love's(EVE)being beside you had everything to do with it!
So glad and looking forward to you getting away from the "glass" and back to your keyboard to pass on your experiences with all of us!
Best wishes and prayers for continued strength and resolve to be better than new!!!!!!! I can't wait to see my Husband's look of relief when my surgery is over in "70" days.

Joe: I wish you all the best with your surgery and recovery. I believe that you will do well. My mother had her bicuspid valve replaced at age 80 (currently age 85) and is still doing well. I will have surgery July 10th (valve sparing aortic root replacement) and hope to do well myself.

Hello Joe. I just wrote in your guest book but didn't find it posted so here goes again!
I am wishing you a successful surgery tomorrow, that all goes well and you are on your way to recovering Soon!
We out here on this site will be looking forward to hearing how you are doing and I will send a Mighty Big Prayer to you, your family and friends tonight.
Have a good nights sleep!

Hi Joe! Wishing you great success with your surgery tomorrow. Even though it is late in the evening here in Manteca, Ca. I send prayers your direction for you your Family and Friends and to our Fellow Heart People. We will be out here waiting to hear how you are doing! Stay strong and know you are SO Not alone! Sleep well heart-Brother!

Joe, I am 22days post op and feel great. Everyday is better than the one before. I found with this surgery like several others I have had, NOTHING is ever as bad as we think it will be. I was amazed that something as serious as this could happen so easily.

JOE FINDEIS Thanks Meredith for the encouraging words. I'm looking forward to getting to the point where you are now.

On June 4, 2014...

David Augustus posted a note for JOE that says:

Joe- I had my BAV replaced along with some work on my aortic root up through the ascending arch. You are fortunate with your procedure, as it should make recovery that much quicker.
Two things- you must trust and feel good about your surgeon. This will bring peace to you and you'll feel good about your upcoming journey. Good luck!

JOE FINDEIS Thanks David. I'm confident with our Surgeon, the procedure, the staff, and the hospital. At this point my attitude is "Let's Do This". I'm anxious to start the recovery process.

On May 30, 2014...

Tom in KC posted a note for JOE that says:

Joe,
I had my aorta valve and aorta replaced 22 weeks ago today. Just turned 57 a month ago. Born with bicuspid aorta. Few sypmtoms. Monitored for years. Doctors decided this winter it was time. So glad it is done. I had traditional procedure since they had to get to the aorta (dacron replacement) and cow tissue valve. Healed, but i think there will be some chest surgery pains for a long time. i have a young coworker who had aorta replaced more than a year ago and she has pains everytime she tries new exercises or different things. a small price to pay for life. Anyway, now i can enjoy the rest of the year and life.
You will be fine. God will watch over you, your surgeon team and your family.

JOE FINDEIS Thank you for the encouraging words... good to hear your doing well after surgery. It gives me something to look forward to.

JOE FINDEIS Thank you for the encouraging words... good to hear your doing well after surgery. It gives me something to look forward to.

On May 29, 2014...

jim torrento posted a note for JOE that says:

joe had the surgery august 1
2011 @ Beaumont hospital.(mich) the surgeons were amazing the day shift in critical care WAS GREAT the night shift was not the step down unit was wonderful....the surgery itself is painless..my only advice is try not to worry I would do this again if I knew.... now what I didn't know then....

JOE FINDEIS Thanks Jim for the good words. I'm working on the not worry part.
Joe...

On May 28, 2014...

Kent posted a note for JOE that says:

Hi Joe.

I had the same surgery in June of 2011. It's definitely a distant memory now. It really is true that the waiting and anticipation are the hardest. There will be a time of some tough things, but it won't take too long until you are feeling great.

JOE FINDEIS Thanks Vicki. I'm in the automotive aftermarket industry. I tell people I'm getting a high performance "Valve Job"

On May 28, 2014...

Tom Niebler posted a note for JOE that says:

Hi Joe,
I am in the process of getting an aortic valve replaced and wonder what is the "less invasive" procedure you mentioned. Also can you tell me about the type of valve you are getting. I have procrastinated this whole ordeal but now know it's time to act and am seeking info. Thanks for your time. Tom

JOE FINDEIS Tom, it's called The St. Jude Medical Trifecta valve, A titanium framed cow heart tissue valve. You can google it for more details. Dr. Bethcourt is my Doctor, ... Read more

JOE FINDEIS Tom, it's called The St. Jude Medical Trifecta valve, A titanium framed cow heart tissue valve. You can google it for more details. Dr. Bethcourt is my Doctor, here's his link, http://www.bethencourtgroup.com/
He specializes in less invasive surgery. He will cut one rib, move it out of the way and do the whole procedure through a 3 inch incision. In 12 days I'll let you know how it was....

On May 27, 2014...

Meredith Bray posted a note for JOE that says:

Joe, the next 10 days or so will drag and fl y by at the same time. Please feel free to ask any questions. I'm happy to say I am going back to work tomorrow exactly 12 weeks after surgery. Best of luck to you!

JOE FINDEIS Meredith...your so right. The days are dragging...but at the same time I'm quickly running out of days to complete all the projects I have to do. I hope your first day back at work was good.

On May 27, 2014...

Judy posted a note for JOE that says:

Hi Joe, Good luck on June 9th. All will go well.
I am also 60 (in a couple of days, anyway) and also Bicuspid. Also symptom free and also found out about a decade ago.
I am 4 weeks post surgery today. Feeling fine. you will be soon, too !!

JOE FINDEIS Hi Judy... Thank you for the encouragement....I can't wait to start the recovering process. That's interesting we're the same age (I turned 60 May 1st) and ... Read more

JOE FINDEIS Hi Judy... Thank you for the encouragement....I can't wait to start the recovering process. That's interesting we're the same age (I turned 60 May 1st) and we have the same valve issue. Maybe there was something in the water in 1954 :)